History

Mounted Games emerged as a Pony Club activity in Great Britain in 1957 - 28 years after the inauguration of Pony Club in 1929.In 1956 His Royal Highness Prince Philip spoke of his interest in developing a team competition for Pony Club riders who didn’t necessarily have 'show ponies' He envisaged a series of games on horseback for teams of four riders. His vision was to arrange races that would be exciting for the spectator and rider alike and encourage outstanding horsemanship, skills and balance without the need for 'specialist ponies or horses'By 1965 the Prince Philip Mounted Games had spread from Great Britain to America, Canada and Australia.The first event conducted in Australia was at the Perth Royal Show in the same year. These Games have been included in the International Equestrian Federation’s list of International Rules since 1972.

It was in 1985 that the Australian Pony Club Council sought permission from Prince Philip to use the name 'Prince Philip Mounted Games' for the conduct of official National Mounted Games Championships within Australia. This request was granted in 1986 and an elegantly engraved silver cup was presented on behalf of Prince Philip to the Australian Pony Club Council for perpetual competition.The aim was to increase the popularity of Mounted Games in Australia and to encourage active, happy riders whose success does not necessarily depend on expensive ponies – just careful, systematic training and determination. With practice and patience, mounted games help to develop skills, horsemanship and a fabulous team spirit, which complements all equestrian disciplines.The Pony Club Association of Victoria annually conduct a Skills Training Clinic for Mounted Games on the final weekend in January at Werribee Park Equestrian Centre. Twelve pony club members are selected for a Prince Philip (Junior) training squad and a further twelve for the Masters State training squad at the final day of the clinic. There is also an opportunity for younger riders to be invited or try out for the National Mounted Games Development squad.These squads train together regularly at a central location until the final teams are selected. One rider from the junior team has the opportunity to be selected for the Australian Representative Team that competes internationally.The Australian competition generally consists of twenty-one different games over a three to four-hour period, usually without a break. The riders don’t take their own horses to the competition, but ride horses provided by pony club members from the Host State. Riders use different horses for each set of three games. In other words they will ride a minimum of seven and a maximum of twenty-one different horses for the competition. Horses they have never ridden before.These teams are selected for the entire year and ride together at demonstrations at pony club events around the state to encourage and help our younger riders to participate and enjoy the fun and excitement of games riding.

Selection Criteria and information for the Junior, Senior and Development Squads for the National Mounted Games

NB: Riders seeking selection will be expected to ride a variety of different horses for the selection process.

Age:

Development: riders must be twelve years not to have reached 14 yrs at 01 January in the year of selection or, if younger, be invited to seek selection.

Junior:

must be under 16 years on 01 January in the year of the competition

Senior:

must be over 16 years on 01 January and not have reached 21 years by 30 June in the year of the competition

Qualifications:

Riders, with the exception of Development Squad riders, must have attained their 'C' Certificate by the time of team selection

Training:

Development Squad:

Trains monthly from February to September (8 sessions)

Training sessions will be approximately 4 hours

A final weekend camp and competition

Junior Squad:

Trains together monthly until the Team is selected, generally in June

Squad members are expected to train independently between scheduled training sessions

Once the team is selected, training is fortnightly

A weekend training camp is held a week before the competition date

Several training sessions are 'horseless'

Fitness & Nutrition program are set

The squad will ride HC at several events

Senior Squad:

Training dates are set in consultation with riders with fewer training sessions over a shorter period of time

Squad members are expected to train independently between scheduled training sessions

A weekend training camp is held a week before the competition

Several training sessions are 'horseless'

Fitness & Nutrition program are set

The squad will ride HC at several events

Some squad members may be asked to ride a 'Demonstration' at several events

If the timing for the competition fits, Senior squad members who have not previously been a squad or team member, either with the senior or Junior squads/Teams are invited to train with the Junior Squad until the commencement of the senior training

Team Selection:

A team of five riders and a reserve rider is selected to represent Victoria for the Junior and Senior Mounted Games

The squads will ride before a panel of independent selectors to determine the final teams.

Riders selected to the team are required to sign a Rider Memorandum and abide by the policies governing their behavior

Qualities the Selectors will look for:

Agility

Ability to vault or learn to vault

Consistency

Horsemanship – riding different horses of different sizes and abilities

Fitness – strength and speed on the ground

Commitment to squad/team goals

Ability to become a supportive squad/team member

Willingness to assist and encourage others

The National Competition

Dates:

Junior: Usually held to coincide with the September School holidays

Senior:

Different each year

Time Away:

Junior: Anywhere from 3 to 5 days

Senior:

Generally 3 days

Venue:

Decided by the Host State

Accommodation:

Decided by the Host State. It is usually some type of camp with bunkhouse accommodation

Accompanying the Team:

Vic State Coach

Vic State Team Manager

Parents, siblings and friends are encouraged and welcome to be at the competition and the official Team Dinner. However family and friends are not able to stay at the same venue as the team or participate in the organised activities and sightseeing for the team.

Costs:

Squad: There may be small costs associated with using a particular venue for training and for the 'horseless' activities

Team: Uniform

Compulsory

Team Polo Shirt

Team Track Suit Jacket & Pants

Dress Uniform (Female) Navy skirt & white top

(Male) Cream Moleskins & Navy shirt

Optional

Team Cap

Team bag

Team Vest

Team Raincoat

Airfare: Riders pay 25% of their total airfare

Accommodation: Team Members pay for their accommodation and meals (this is usually well subsidised by the host state